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eam USA forward Alex Galchenyuk is getting treated a little bit like a Canadian abroad.

It’s the old, “Hey, you’re from Canada? I have a friend in Vancouver, maybe you know him?”

Galchenyuk might speak and read Russian - his dad is Belarusian and played minor pro hockey in the U.S., where Alex was born - but Ufa is hardly home for the Montreal Canadiens draft pick, taken third overall in last summer’s draft.

Not even close.

Moscow, where he lived for a time, is 1,200 kilometres away.

“I lived in Moscow and it’s a long way from here. I’ve never been to Ufa. I’ve never been here, don’t know what the city is like or anything. Russia is big and people sometimes think like I’m coming here and this is my home. It’s way different from where I lived. The language is the same, but overall it’s all different.

“It’s a great experience. I can read everything, I can talk to people, I know what people are saying, even what fans are cheering in the stands, but I’m not trying to think about that. I’m just trying to help the team win as much as I can.”

Still, it was interesting to see that name across the back of a U.S. jersey as the Americans played the Russians at Ufa Arena Friday night.

He might not be home, but he’s playing like it.

The Sarnia Sting forward led the Americans in scoring with a goal and three assists going into the game against Canada Sunday.

When asked if he heard anything from the fans, he said: “The only thing I heard was ‘go, Sting, go,’ from the Sarnia fans. A couple of Sarnia Sting fans came here with Sting jerseys on. I heard the cheering for Russia, but nothing else.”

U.S. captain Jake McCabe said he was impressed with the way Galchenyuk handled playing Russia (Galchenyuk had an assist on the USA’s only goal in their 2-1 loss to the Russia).

“I was a little nervous and it was an emotional game, especially for him,” said McCabe. “He’s a young guy, but such a talented player. Everyone was really happy with how way he played. He played within himself. He stayed composed throughout the whole game, which was good to see. He’s been one of our best players both those games. That’s what he’s got to bring every game and that’s what he’s been bringing.

World Junior Championship: U.S. player Alex Galchenyuk returns to his Russian roots

eam USA forward Alex Galchenyuk is getting treated a little bit like a Canadian abroad.

It’s the old, “Hey, you’re from Canada? I have a friend in Vancouver, maybe you know him?”

Galchenyuk might speak and read Russian - his dad is Belarusian and played minor pro hockey in the U.S., where Alex was born - but Ufa is hardly home for the Montreal Canadiens draft pick, taken third overall in last summer’s draft.

Not even close.

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There wasn't much left of Daniel Briere's voice. The veteran Montreal Canadiens forward had been turned into a cheerleader, sitting on the Canadiens bench for most of the third period of their Game 7 victory over the Boston Bruins, cooling his heels despite having set up the crucial first goal two minutes into the game.